Monday, January 7, 2008

Indian cricket supporters burn photos of Australian Test series umpires in protest at the suspension of star spinner Harbhajan Singh who was found guilty of racial abuse. Picture: AFP

Harbhajan was suspended on Sunday by the International Cricket Council for three tests after being found guilty of racially abusing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second Test in Sydney.

He denied the charge and India threatened to go home unless Harbhajan's three-match suspension was over-turned.

The BCCI said in a statement released today

``The Board will appeal to the International Cricket Council to review the decision of the Match Referee and suspend its operation till the appeal is disposed of. The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian. To vindicate its position, the Board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player.''

India faces a $2 million fine from the International Cricket Council if it boycotts the tour.

The wealthy Indian cricket board (BCCI) could also be liable to reimburse Cricket Australia for millions of dollars in losses.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Sydney: Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been banned for three Test matches for racially abusing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Mike Procter went with the Australian team’s version during the hearing that went on for more than six hours and decided to punish the Indian off-spinner.

According to the ICC's statement explaining the ban Harbhajan called Symonds a 'monkey' and it was a racial abuse on the basis of race and ethnic origin.

The ban comes into effect with immediate effect but the player could lodge an appeal with the ICC's legal counsel (Commissioner of Appeals) in writing within 24 hours.

Deepika Padukone is expected to spend a month in Australia for the shooting of her Yash Raj film. But the actress left Mumbai two days before the start of her shooting schedule (which will begin on January 7).

Any guesses why ??? Well I find only two reasons and one man behind this and that's Yuvraj Singh.

1. To cheer Yuvraj Singh for the ongoing Test match2. To spend her 22nd which was on 5th January with him.

Deepika and Yuvraj have been linked up by the media on numerous occasions, though the couple have always mainatined that they are 'good friends.'

However, a friend of the Padukones said,

Deepika is in Australia in her own capacity and the India-Australia Test match just happens to be taking place around the same time. But one thing is sure — Yuvraj and Deepika are dating each other.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Singh family told TOI on Friday,

The two are very close to each other. In two years' time, if things go well, marriage could be on the cards. But right now, both of them are focused on their respective professions.

Here is one pic from Times of India where both were spotted in a restaurant in Sydney on 4th Jan.